Million-Dollar Dip Recipe

A party isn’t a party without this million-dollar dip! Rich is an understatement for this addictive treat.

This mix of mayo, sharp cheddar, bacon, almonds, and green onions is the stuff of legends. It’s thick and decadent with mouthwatering textures! 

Why Is It Called Million Dollar Dip?

The origins of this dip are a little hazy.

This dip first appeared in Helen Corbitt’s Cookbook in 1957 and was called the Almond-Bacon-Cheese Spread.

It made its first appearance in the Zodiac room at Neiman Marcus, where it’s also known as the Neiman Marcus dip.

We don’t know why the name changed to Million Dollar Dip. But it’s likely because it uses “rich” ingredients like bacon, mayo, and cheese.

The name might have changed, but the dip remains to be its delectable self. 

It’s a simple combination of common pantry ingredients and yields the best dip recipe that’s hard to resist.

Ingredients

All you need is six simple ingredients to create a fantastic potluck recipe that your guests will devour. Here’s everything you need to get the party started.

• Slivered almonds. For a lovely crunch and nutty flavor. Be sure to toast them for 4-5 minutes to bring out their flavor even more.

• Bacon. To me, a dip isn’t complete without crispy and smoky bacon. I cook mine from scratch here, but pre-cooked bacon bits work wonderfully, too.

• Mayonnaise. I like to use either Duke’s or Hellmann’s but use whatever your favorite brand is. Just stick to real mayo instead of salad dressing for maximum flavor.

• Cheese. I use sharp cheddar cheese but feel free to experiment with other kinds of cheddar as well. Shred the cheese yourself for best results, and never use the pre-shredded stuff. It never melts as well as freshly shredded. 

• Green onions. Besides the pop of color, they also give the dip an earthy and pepper flavor that balances out the richness of the mayonnaise.

• Cayenne pepper. For a little bit of heat. Adjust the measurement according to your taste.

How to Make Million Dollar Dip

Million dollar dip is one of those low-effort/high-reward recipes. It takes little effort, but your party guests will go crazy over this dip. Check out how easy it all comes together. 

1. Toast the almonds. Do this in a skillet, then let them cool.

2. Cook the bacon. Cook the bacon for 8-10 minutes, cool, and chop.

3. Combine all dip ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, cheddar cheese, bacon, green onions, toasted almonds, and cayenne pepper.

4. Chill. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and chill in the fridge for at least one hour. Serve, and enjoy!

What Is 5 Minute Million Dollar Dip?

5 Minite Million Dollar dip brings the same flavor intensity but cuts the cooking time in half.

Think of it as a shortcut when you don’t have time to cook bacon. 

To make your life a little easier, 5-minute Million Dollar Dip infuses real bacon bits instead of sauteed bacon. 

This means you can whip up this party dip without turning on the stove, making it perfect for those hot summer days.

Tips for Making this Dip

While it’s an easy dip recipe, there are a few things to keep in mind. Follow these tips and tricks for the perfect party dip. 

• Always use a sharp knife for green onions. Not only will this make slicing easier, but it will also ensure the onions taste great. Using a dull knife releases sulfur in the process, which then makes the onions stinky.

• Quality matters. With so few ingredients, opt for the premium mayo. The dip just won’t be as rich and creamy if you opt for low-quality mayonnaise. 

• Always grate the cheese from the block. Pre-shredded cheese is quick, but it doesn’t taste the same. So, always grate your cheese fresh off the block.

• Make it even thicker and richer. Whisk in a block of softened cream cheese. It’ll need to be at room temp so it becomes smooth.

• Remember to garnish for a pretty presentation. For a prettier presentation, set aside some of the green onions, cheese, and bacon. Sprinkle them on top right before serving.

Substitutions and Variations

While the base recipe will delight your party guests, you can swap out some ingredients to suit your taste. Check out these quick and easy substitutions. 

• Make it extra cheesy. Add your favorite styles of cheese like Mozzarella or Monterey Jack. Or, for a spicy kick, try pepper jack!

• Swap out mayo. Mayonnaise makes this dip impossibly creamy, but you can adjust the flavor (and calories) with a healthy alternative. Greek yogurt or low-fat sour cream tastes amazing and shaves off some calories.

• Bring on the spice. Throw in ingredients like jalapeno peppers, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper. 

• Try different types of bacon. Instead of regular bacon, try using chopped candied bacon to make this party dip a little sweeter. Sweet bacon with a zing from spices is always a welcome duo.

What To Serve With Million Dollar Dip

As a thick dip, you’ll want dippers that can really get in there. The goal is to shovel as much of this dip into your mouth as possible! Here are some excellent dip ideas that go great with this dip. 

• Veggies. You can never go wrong with veggies! Carrots and celery are always crowd favorites. But other veggies like bell pepper strips, broccoli, cauliflower, and cucumbers are all great options. 

• Ritz crackers. The creamy, smokey flavors of this dip pair perfectly with buttery Ritz crackers. But any crispy, crunchy cracker or potato chip is a great choice. 

• Bread. A slice of good, crusty bread chopped into cubes is also a fantastic option. And if you really want to get fancy, try toasting your bread first!

• Appetizers. Really want to impress with your appetizer spread? Try arranging a plate of appetizers like soft pretzels, mozzarella sticks, french fries, or onion rings. It’ll make your party platter the life of the party. 

Storing Million Dollar Dip

Want to get ahead of the game for game day? Here are a few suggestions on how to make this dip ahead of time, and how to store any leftovers. It’s rare that there will be any dip left, but stranger things have happened!

To Store. Be sure to cover your dip with plastic wrap, or transfer to an air-tight container. Refrigerated dip will stay fresh for up to 4 days in the fridge. 

To Freeze. Due to the mayonnaise in this dip, it can’t be frozen. Luckily, it’s a super quick dip recipe, so you can make it easily when the craving strikes.

More Dip Recipes to Try

Spinach Artichoke Dip
Clam Dip
Seven-Layer Taco Dip
Cowboy Crack Dip
Buffalo Chicken Dip